3 things Bulls learned in loss to James Harden and 76ers
2. Throw a box and one at Harden
Taking Harden out of the play entirely is virtually impossible. One tactic that can work, however (with a small margin for error) is employing a box and one strategy on defense. As noted in the previous slide, he has problems moving without the ball and becomes extremely passive when forced to be a playmaker.
Harden is clearly a gifted scorer, making the NBA 75 list. While he takes high volume shots, he’s also known for his passing ability. In Harden’s five games as a Sixer, he ranks third in points per possession in the pick and roll and third in effective field goal percentage at 66.7%.
Similarly, Steph Curry has seen this scheme throughout his career, and it has had some success in disrupting his scoring output. While he still manages to score, he fails to torch opponents who throw out the box and one, and appears to become worn down late in the fourth quarter.
Harden’s conditioning late in games has always been an issue in his playoff career. The box and one will not only force him into becoming a passer, but will also take strength away from his legs.
For the Bulls to stop his pick and roll scoring output in the box and one, they will need to play over the screen and force him into strong side help. Most teams do not help strong side, but when it comes to Harden, unconventional defensive principles are almost a must.
By forcing him to reject the screen, they will eliminate Embiid rolling and shade Harden to a strong side help defender. In that instance, Harden will likely kick out to one of the Philly shooters.
In the event he doesn’t kick the ball to a shooter, the strong side help will have to show as Harden gets downhill. This will force him to give the ball up and hope that a player like Maxey or Green can score consistently.
In their games without Harden, the 76ers struggled to find their outside shot. Playing the percentages could work in the Bulls’ advantage.
In that case, the Bulls will be in good shape.